Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25245
ROSSIGNOL SCRATCH BC Leading the way in a growing breed of hybrid backcountry/park skis, the Rossignol Scratch BC defines the current state "new school" backcountry skis-fat, twin-tip boards with centered binding mounts designed for gap jumps and backcountry jibbing. With dimensions only slightly slimmer than most powder fat skis, the Scratch BC is comfortable in deep snow, in the air, or on the trail. The ski uses Rossignol's Triple Hybrid Core, a construction philosophy that uses Microcell foam to reduce vibrations while enhancing comfort and stabili- ty, Isocore to reduce weight and add energy and rebound, and wood, which increases durability. A 30-degree bevel on the sidewall surface further lightens the ski, giving it a nimble feel when airborne. Shape: 122/go/11smm Sizes: 176, 182, 188cm Rossignol, www.rossignolski.com. $680 **** K2 AK LAUNCHER The legendary Launcher, one of the industry's first widely successful big-mountain skis, comes revamped w'th retooled tip-and-tail widths for greater surface area. The Launcher also comes in different lengths this year and uses MOD technology-a dampening compound that acts as a shock absorber-effectively minim'zing the chatter and flap that's common with fat skis. The Launcher still sports a soft flex for easy-skiing po der hounds, but is strong enough to withstand the beatings of those who love to charge. Shape: l1g/88/losmm Sizes: 167, 174, 181, 188cm K2, www.k2skis.com. $675 **** ATOMIC SUGAR DADDY Atomic continues its evolution as the premier freeride ski manufacturer in the world. Over the last two years Atomic's wildly popular 1O.EX redefined what a freeride ski could do-in a nutshell, ski every condition imag- inable with style and grace. This year Atomic introduces the Atomic Freeride Team Series-four new freeride skis designed by their athletes. At the center of the ATF Series is the Sugar Daddy. The reasonably sized but pleasantly plump Sugar uses Beta-4 technology, dampening rubber-and-carbon lobes that run down the ski's length positioned over the edges to transfer energy directly from you to the snow. The result is a stiff, pow- erful yet predictable ski with a smooth, continuous flex. Tested on spines deep in the Chugach Range of /\laska, the Sugar Daddy delivered. Shape: 126/gg/116mm Sizes: 163, 173, 183cm Atomic, www.atomicsnow.com. $795 ***** II UBERBINDING FRITSCH! FREERIDE 3 Take your new powder sticks out to the backcountry and let them run up and down the hill by mounting a pair of Fritschi's new Freeride 3 alpine touring bindings. The Freeride is the first touring binding with a DIN setting of 12 (rather than 10), and is strong enough to be used on the hill day-in and day-out. When you're ready for waist-deep adventure, the Freeride can be turned into a freeheeling ascension. machine to take you to your favorite out of bounds stash. Blackdiamond, www.blackdiamondequipment.com. $250 66